Dragon Ball Super is the official canonical continuation of Akira Toriyama’s saga, a direct response to the global demand for new Goku adventures. More than just a sequel, Super fundamentally redefines the franchise’s cosmology. The series introduces concepts like “Divine Ki,” Gods of Destruction like Beerus, and the omnipotent being Zeno, expanding the battlefield from a single universe to twelve. If Z was about overcoming planetary limits, Super is about challenging the divine hierarchy itself.
What is Dragon Ball Super and Where Does It Fit in the Timeline?
Dragon Ball Super (DBS) is the official canonical sequel to Dragon Ball Z, marking the franchise’s triumphant return under the direct supervision of its original creator, Akira Toriyama. Launched in 2015, the series was designed to fill a crucial time gap in the original story, exploring the development of Goku, Vegeta, and their allies after the greatest battle of their lives. Here you’ll better understand the chronological placement of Super, its canonical status compared to other sequels (like Dragon Ball GT), and the unique creative structure behind the anime and manga.
The Exact Placement: The 10-Year Gap (Post-Buu Saga, Pre-DBZ Epilogue)
Timeline confusion is the most common question among fans. Dragon Ball Super does not take place after the end of Dragon Ball Z. Instead, the story fits entirely within the 10-year gap that occurs after Majin Buu’s defeat (Year 774) and before the 28th World Martial Arts Tournament, where Goku meets Uub (Year 784).
The series begins approximately six months after the battle against Buu. All events in Super — from the Battle of Gods Saga, through the Tournament of Power, to the canonical films Broly (Year 780) and Super Hero (Year 783) — occur within this “lost decade,” recontextualizing the peaceful ending seen in DBZ.
The Difference Between Canon and Filler: Where Does Dragon Ball GT Fit In?
In the Dragon Ball universe, “canon” refers to material directly written, illustrated, or supervised by Akira Toriyama. Dragon Ball Super is considered the canonical continuation because Toriyama provided the main story outline and new character designs.
This positions Dragon Ball GT (Grand Tour), the popular 90s anime sequel, as a “parallel story” or filler. GT was a Toei Animation production without Toriyama’s direct involvement in the main script. Therefore, the Dragon Ball Super timeline completely ignores GT events (including Super Saiyan 4), establishing a new official path for the franchise’s future.
The Role of Akira Toriyama and Toyotaro in Creation (Anime vs. Manga)
The creation of Dragon Ball Super followed an unusual production model. Akira Toriyama did not write the weekly script or draw the manga; he provided the main story outline, defining narrative arcs, new characters, and major plot twists.
This outline was delivered simultaneously to Toei Animation (for the anime) and Toyotaro (Toriyama’s chosen successor for the manga). This resulted in two canonical versions of the same story. The anime and manga, while following the same arcs, have significant differences in fights, transformations, and even the outcome of certain events, as each team filled Toriyama’s gaps differently. Currently, Toyotaro’s manga has advanced far beyond the anime’s end, continuing the story with new arcs.
Complete Analysis of Dragon Ball Super Sagas (Anime and Manga)
The narrative structure of Dragon Ball Super is defined by distinct arcs, or “sagas,” that progressively escalate threats from planetary to universal and divine levels. While the initial two arcs adapted the canonical films (Battle of Gods and Resurrection ‘F’) into series format, the franchise quickly introduced unprecedented threats. It’s crucial to note that the anime and manga, while following Toriyama’s core points, diverge significantly in details, fights, and even rules. This section analyzes each major saga chronologically.
Battle of Gods Saga: The Introduction of Beerus and Whis
This inaugural arc establishes the new power status quo in Dragon Ball. Beerus, the Universe 7 God of Destruction, awakens from a long slumber seeking a prophesied rival: the Super Saiyan God. His arrival on Earth forces Goku and the Z Warriors to discover the ritual to achieve this divine form. The saga is fundamental for introducing the concept of “Divine Ki” and establishing that beings like Beerus and his angel mentor, Whis, exist on an exponentially higher power tier than Goku.
Resurrection ‘F’ Saga: Vengeance and Freeza’s Golden Form
Marking the return of the franchise’s most iconic villain, this saga details Freeza’s resurrection via the Dragon Balls. For the first time in his life, the galactic tyrant decides to train intensely (for a mere four months), allowing him to unlock a devastating new transformation: Golden Freeza. To combat him, Goku and Vegeta reveal the next stage of their training with Whis: Super Saiyan Blue, the form that applies Divine Ki to the Super Saiyan state.
Universe 6 Saga: Champa’s Tournament and Hit’s Debut
This saga formally expands the lore into a multiverse. Champa, the Universe 6 God of Destruction (Universe 7’s “twin”) and Beerus’s brother, proposes a martial arts tournament between their five best warriors. The prize: the Super Dragon Balls. This arc is crucial for introducing new recurring characters like the Universe 6 Saiyans (Cabba, Caulifla, and Kale) and the legendary assassin Hit, whose Time-Skip technique forces Goku to evolve his combat tactics.
Goku Black / Future Trunks Saga: The Zamasu Threat
Considered by many the darkest and most complex arc in Super, this saga brings Future Trunks’s desperate return. His timeline has been devastated by a new enigmatic enemy resembling Goku, known as “Goku Black.” The investigation reveals an intricate divine conspiracy involving Zamasu, a Universe 10 apprentice Kai with a deep hatred for mortals. The saga explores time travel, Time Rings, the Potara fusion (with Blue Vegetto’s return), and culminates in one of the franchise’s most drastic resolutions.
Tournament of Power Saga: Universe Survival and Jiren
This is the climax arc of the Dragon Ball Super anime. At Goku’s suggestion, Zeno, the omnipotent being, organizes a survival tournament: a battle royale with 80 warriors from the 8 weakest universes. The rule is absolute: the losing universe is instantly erased from existence. This saga introduces a vast array of new characters, notably Jiren from Universe 11, a mortal who surpasses a God of Destruction’s power. The existential threat forces Goku to break all his limits, awakening the divine technique known as Ultra Instinct.
Saga Not Yet Adapted to Anime: The Galactic Patrol Prisoner (Moro)
After the Tournament of Power and the Broly film events, the Dragon Ball Super manga continued the story with new arcs. The first is the Moro saga, an ancient sorcerer who escapes from the Galactic Patrol Prison. Moro doesn’t just use ki; he wields ancient magic, allowing him to drain the life energy of entire planets and his opponents. This saga forces Goku and Vegeta to train separately — Vegeta learns Instant Transmission and Spirit Fission on Yardrat, while Goku trains with Merus to master Ultra Instinct.
Manga-Exclusive Sagas: Granolah the Survivor
The subsequent arc focuses on Granolah, the sole survivor of the Cerealian race, exterminated by Saiyans in Freeza’s service decades prior. Consumed by vengeance, Granolah uses his planet’s Dragon Balls to become the “strongest warrior in the universe,” but at a terrible cost. This saga is notable for deepening Bardock’s canonical past (Goku’s father) and introducing the counterpart to Ultra Instinct: Ultra Ego, a divine form achieved by Vegeta.
Central Characters: New Gods, Angels, and Warriors
While Dragon Ball Z focused on a core group of heroes defending Earth, Dragon Ball Super massively expands the cast, introducing new power hierarchies and beings from multiple universes. The series not only elevates the Z Warriors to divine tiers but also establishes a cosmic pantheon that recontextualizes their place in the cosmos. Additionally, parallel universes bring an influx of new rivals, allies, and complex antagonists.
The Divine Pantheon: Gods of Destruction, Angels, and Zeno
Super introduces a clear divine hierarchy governing the multiverse. At the top is Zeno, the Omni-King, a childlike being with absolute power to erase anyone or all 12 universes instantly. Immediately below him is the Grand Priest. Each universe is overseen by a set of gods: a God of Destruction (like Beerus), whose function is to destroy planets to maintain balance, and a Supreme Kai (Kaioshin), whose function is to create. Serving as assistant and master to each God of Destruction is an Angel (like Whis), beings who are actually more powerful than their gods but bound to remain neutral.
The Evolution of the Z Warriors (Goku, Vegeta, Gohan, and Piccolo)
The introduction of “Divine Ki” forced the Z Warriors to evolve. Goku and Vegeta spend most of Super training under Whis, mastering Super Saiyan God (SSJ God) and Super Saiyan Blue (SSJ Blue). Eventually, their paths diverge: Goku begins mastering Ultra Instinct, a divine technique of subconscious movement, while Vegeta (in the manga) develops Ultra Ego, a form that thrives in combat and absorbs damage. After being left behind, Gohan and Piccolo make their triumphant return in the Super Hero film, achieving unique and massively powerful forms — Gohan Beast and Orange Piccolo — placing them back on par with gods.
New Allies and Rivals (Jiren, Hit, Cabba, Caulifla, and Kale)
The exploration of the multiverse, mainly through tournaments, introduced characters who aren’t villains but powerful rivals. From Universe 6 came Hit, the legendary assassin with the Time-Skip technique, and the Saiyans Cabba, Caulifla, and Kale — who, via Potara fusion, form the warrior Kefla. The ultimate rival introduced is Jiren from Universe 11, a mortal whose raw power exceeds a God of Destruction’s, serving as the Tournament of Power’s main antagonist and the catalyst for Goku’s Ultra Instinct awakening.
The Central Antagonists (Zamasu, Moro, and the Red Ribbon Army)
Super introduced some of the franchise’s most complex villains. Zamasu (and his alternate version, Goku Black) was the Future Trunks Saga’s main antagonist; a Supreme Kai who believed mortals were a plague to be eradicated, carrying his distorted “justice” to genocidal extremes. In the manga, Moro, the Galactic Patrol Prisoner, introduced magic as a threat capable of draining entire planets’ life energy. More recently, the Red Ribbon Army resurfaced in Super Hero, using advanced technology to create the Gamma Androids and the bio-monster Cell Max, proving deadly threats remain relevant.
Guide to Transformations and Power Levels in DBS
Dragon Ball Super redefined the concept of “fighting power.” The series abandoned numerical scales (Scouters) and introduced “Divine Ki,” a type of energy on a completely different existential plane, undetectable by mortals. Super‘s new transformations aren’t mere multipliers like Super Saiyan 1, 2, and 3; they’re evolutions based on mastering this Divine Ki or celestial-level techniques. This section dissects the main forms introduced in the series.
Super Saiyan God (SSJ God): The Ritual and Divine Ki
This is the gateway to the divine realm. Initially achieved by Goku through a ritual involving six pure-hearted Saiyans, Super Saiyan God grants the user Divine Ki. Characterized by a flaming red aura, slimmer body, and notable calm, SSJ God is highly efficient, consuming little energy while offering immense power, allowing the user to fight on par with a God of Destruction (if only briefly).
Super Saiyan Blue (SSJ Blue): Controlling Divine Ki
If SSJ God is the acquisition of Divine Ki, Super Saiyan Blue (SSJ Blue) is the application of that ki in combat. Formally known as “Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan,” this form is essentially the Super Saiyan transformation superimposed onto the SSJ God state. With its iconic blue aura and hair, this form combines a Super Saiyan’s explosive power with Divine Ki’s control and potency, becoming Goku and Vegeta’s standard battle transformation for most of Super.
Ultra Instinct (Sign, Omen, and Mastered): The Angels’ Technique
Crucially, Ultra Instinct isn’t a Saiyan transformation but a divine technique mastered by Angels (like Whis). It’s a mental and physical state where the body reacts and fights on its own, separate from consciousness.
- Ultra Instinct Sign/Omen: The initial, unstable form (dark hair, silver eyes) where the body subconsciously masters defense, but the user still mentally interferes with attacks.
- Mastered Ultra Instinct: The perfected state (silver hair) where both attack and defense are automatic, requiring a completely calm mind. It’s the pinnacle of martial skill in the multiverse.
Ultra Ego: The Gods of Destruction’s Technique
Ultra Ego is the direct counterpart to Ultra Instinct and a technique used by Gods of Destruction (like Beerus). Awakened by Vegeta during his training with Beerus (in the manga), this form isn’t based on evasion but on taking damage. Ultra Ego thrives on pure fury and the heat of battle; the more damage and fighting spirit Vegeta displays, the stronger he becomes. It’s a form fueled by ego and combat desire, the exact opposite of the serene calm required by Ultra Instinct.
Recent Forms: Gohan Beast and Orange Piccolo
Revealed in the film Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, these forms demonstrate that alternative paths to Divine Ki can achieve similar power levels.
- Orange Piccolo: A massive transformation granted to Piccolo after Shenlong unlocks all his latent potential, finally placing him on par with Goku and Vegeta’s power tier.
- Gohan Beast: A unique, wild evolution of Gohan, awakened by extreme rage. Characterized by disproportionate silver hair and red eyes, this form seems to be an evolution of his “Ultimate” (Mystic) state, and its power proved capable of rivaling divine techniques.
The Canonical Post-Tournament of Power Films
With the Dragon Ball Super anime ending at the Tournament of Power Saga, the story’s canonical continuity shifted to cinema, with films written and directly supervised by Akira Toriyama. These aren’t filler or parallel films like those from the DBZ era; they’re essential chapters in the official timeline, introducing new transformations, characters, and developments that directly impact the universe’s status quo.
Dragon Ball Super: Broly (The Legendary Saiyan’s Reintroduction)
Released in 2018, this film takes one of the franchise’s most popular non-canonical characters, Broly, and completely reinvents him for Super‘s timeline. The plot explores the Saiyans’ past, Broly’s exile with his father Paragus, and his eventual devastating confrontation with Goku and Vegeta. The film is crucial for canonizing Broly (now a complex, tragic character instead of a one-dimensional villain) and reintroducing the canonical fusion Gogeta, who uses Super Saiyan Blue to subdue Broly’s uncontrollable “Legendary Super Saiyan” power.
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero (Gohan and Piccolo’s Protagonism)
This film marks a deliberate shift in focus, moving away from Goku and Vegeta to give protagonism to Gohan and Piccolo. The plot sees the nefarious Red Ribbon Army’s resurgence, creating new powerful Androids (Gamma 1 and Gamma 2) and their ultimate bio-weapon, Cell Max. Forced to defend Earth without Goku or Vegeta’s help, Gohan and Piccolo are pushed to their absolute limits, resulting in their own unique, massive transformations: Orange Piccolo and Gohan Beast.
The Films’ Impact on the Official Anime and Manga Timeline
Both films are fundamental and fit perfectly into the timeline. Dragon Ball Super: Broly occurs immediately after the Tournament of Power (and before the Moro saga in the manga). Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero occurs several years later, positioning after the Granola saga in the manga (and featuring visibly older characters like Pan, Goten, and Trunks). The Dragon Ball Super manga acknowledges both events: it briefly adapted Broly‘s story and is currently publishing a prequel arc leading directly to Super Hero‘s events, solidifying its position as the timeline’s latest chapter.
Where to Watch and Read Dragon Ball Super Officially
With the franchise’s global popularity, consuming Dragon Ball Super through official channels is essential to support creators and ensure the best translation and image quality. Fortunately, both the anime and manga are widely accessible on legal platforms, simultaneous with Japan, allowing fans to follow the story legitimately and up-to-date.
Streaming Platforms for the Anime (Crunchyroll)
The definitive way to watch all 131 episodes of the Dragon Ball Super anime is via Crunchyroll. The platform holds the series’ streaming rights, offering the full content with options for original Japanese audio (with Portuguese subtitles) and, in many cases, the official Brazilian dub. Besides the main series, Crunchyroll also offers recent canonical films like Dragon Ball Super: Broly and Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, establishing itself as the central hub for the anime.
Where to Read the Manga (Manga Plus)
For the manga, which continues the story far beyond the anime’s end, the official free platform is Shueisha’s Manga Plus. Manga Plus releases the latest Dragon Ball Super chapters simultaneously with the Japanese release, fully translated into Portuguese (and other languages). While the platform only keeps the most recent chapters free (the “last three”), it allows fans to follow the current story without delays. To read previous chapters, you must purchase the compiled volumes (tankobon) published in Brazil by Panini Comics.
The Correct Order to Watch (Anime, Films, and Specials)
To consume the Dragon Ball Super story in chronological order, the following viewing sequence is recommended:
- Anime: Battle of Gods Saga (Episodes 1-14) AND Resurrection ‘F’ Saga (Episodes 15-27)
- (Note: Alternatively, you can watch the films “Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods” and “Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’” and skip these arcs, though the anime expands the events).
- Anime: Universe 6 Saga (Episodes 28-46)
- Anime: Goku Black / Future Trunks Saga (Episodes 47-76)
- Anime: Tournament of Power Saga (Episodes 77-131) [End of Anime]
- Film: Dragon Ball Super: Broly (Occurs right after the Tournament of Power)
- Manga: Galactic Patrol Prisoner Saga (Moro) [Start of Post-Anime Content]
- Manga: Granolah the Survivor Saga
- Film: Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero (Occurs after the Granola Saga)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Dragon Ball Super
This section directly and concisely answers the most common questions fans have about Dragon Ball Super‘s current status, its future, and its expanding universe’s complexities.
Will Dragon Ball Super (Anime) Have a Continuation?
To date, Toei Animation has not announced a direct continuation of the Dragon Ball Super anime series, which ended in 2018 with the Tournament of Power. Although the manga has advanced significantly with the Moro and Granola Sagas, the studio has chosen to focus on film productions (like Broly and Super Hero) and, more recently, the new anime Dragon Ball Daima. A “Season 2” adapting the manga remains a strong fan expectation but lacks official confirmation.
What is Dragon Ball Daima and Where Does It Fit?
Dragon Ball Daima is a new commemorative anime series created with Akira Toriyama’s direct involvement in script and character design. The plot features an original story where Goku, Vegeta, and others are mysteriously turned into children by a conspiracy. Chronologically, Daima‘s events appear to take place before Dragon Ball Super, occurring in the period between Kid Buu’s defeat (DBZ) and Beerus’s arrival (DBS).
What’s the Power Difference Between Ultra Instinct and Ultra Ego?
The main difference lies in combat philosophy. Ultra Instinct (mastered by Goku) is an Angels’ technique requiring a calm, serene mind, allowing the body to react and dodge attacks subconsciously. Ultra Ego (awakened by Vegeta) is a Gods of Destruction technique doing the opposite: it thrives in the heat of battle, letting the user take damage and convert it into power, fueled by ego and ferocity. In short: Ultra Instinct focuses on evasion, Ultra Ego on endurance and counter-attacks.
Has the Dragon Ball Super Manga Ended?
No. The Dragon Ball Super manga, illustrated by Toyotaro, continues active and has advanced far beyond where the anime stopped (the Tournament of Power). It has completed two major manga-exclusive arcs: the “Galactic Patrol Prisoner Moro Saga” and the “Granolah the Survivor Saga.” Recently, the manga adapted the events of the film Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero and, after a hiatus period, is expected to continue with new stories.
